1971 C50 Swap Project

[Flat 67]

This is what I started with. A 71 C50, with a 350, 4speed and 2 speed rear end.

[Flat 67]

After owning it a while I wanted to makes some improvements and take care of some problems.

Things to fix/improve:

Leaking brake cylinders
Leaking master cylinder
Widowmaker split rims
20 tires with tubes
Smelly gas tank behind seat
Rearend with very low gears
Bad clutch
No power steering

[Flat 67]

Then I came across this donor truck for a fair price. A 1988 GMC 7000

With the following:

8.2 Turbo Detroit Diesel (not a desirable motor, oh well)
10 speed Eaton Fuller Transmission
4.88 rear end
22.5 steel wheels
Tubeless tires
Air brakes
Power steering
2 50 gal fuel tanks

So.....The swap began!!!

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Does the '88 7000 actually have a Fuller 10-Speed Road Ranger Trans? If it does, I've never seen one in a Medium Duty truck of that type.

Bill

[Flat 67]

Originally Posted by C10 - C90 Bill

Does the '88 7000 actually have a Fuller 10-Speed Road Ranger Trans? If it does, I've never seen one in a Medium Duty truck of that type.

Bill

Bill,

Yes it does, when I first saw it didn't think it could be so.

[flashed]

My brother n law has a truck just like the one you are starting with that he hauls hay with on the farm ,same color even .Im in for this one .

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Pretty interesting. Cool Truck really. Air Brakes and all.

Bill

[Flat 67]

The teardown begins.........

[flashed]

This is going to be a cool truck.

[mcmlxix]

Originally Posted by flashed

This is going to be a cool truck.

what truck? I thought this was about a girl....

[flashed]

She can ride along too.

[Flat 67]

Pics of it coming together.

[Flat 67]

Front wheels stick out until I make the 8 inch cut to the front axle.


Flat67

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Before you cut the Front Axle, you may want to consider going with the Wide Fenders, found on some C-60's with the Heavy Front Axle. They should interchange with no problem. You would also need the Wider Running Boards as well.

I'm really not a fan of converstions, but that Front Axle looks pretty cool under there. I also like the idea of a 10-Speed RR Trans in C-50.

Bill

[junkmandan3]

Retro look with the later model running gear with great components, possibly except for the engine............... But they're stingy on fuel. The transmission is worth as much as the engine, maybe more !

Did you have to cut the firewall to clear the turbo and exhaust pipe /

[mrolds88]

Couldn't you use a C70 type fender? Would it be bolt on??

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Originally Posted by mrolds88

Couldn't you use a C70 type fender? Would it be bolt on??

They are the ones I am referring to. The hardest part would be to find a nice set.

Bill

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Here is a good example of the Fenders.

Last set of pictures, post #356:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...306565&page=15

Bill

[Flat 67]

Originally Posted by C10 - C90 Bill

Before you cut the Front Axle, you may want to consider going with the Wide Fenders, found on some C-60's with the Heavy Front Axle. They should interchange with no problem. You would also need the Wider Running Boards as well.

Bill

Bill, like you said, the wide fenders are very rare and they would probably be all rusted. Those sample pics are a great examples though. Also, I like my original paint too much and I don't want to alter that.

[Flat 67]

Originally Posted by junkmandan3

Did you have to cut the firewall to clear the turbo and exhaust pipe /

Mr. Junk

No cuts were made to the fire wall. It was a snug fit though.

Flat67

[Flat 67]

More pics......I got it running.

[Flat 67]

Motor is snug, but fits in there.

[Flat 67]

Boy, it takes a few air lines to run these air brakes. I had to number them as to not get them confused. They came out ok, they work just great.

[flashed]

That was quick ,I like it .

[Peanutbutter]

That 88 GMC 7000 looks just like my 79 but mine had 453T jake brake and 5 and 2. I really miss that truck.